70pc Multan Metro affectees paid Rs2.09b

A top official disclosed on Wednesday that the government had acquired land worth Rs2.93 billion for the Multan Metro Bus project while 70 percent of the total affected residents had so far been paid Rs2,091 million.

Multan Division Commissioner Asadullah Khan told the media that 15 mosques and four government offices also affected as they were located on the metro route and they were paid Rs56.4 million in compensation. He said that the officials concerned had been directed to further expedite the payment process and ensure full payment to the affectees.

He directed the district administration to cooperate with the affectees in the process of acquiring required documents so that they could receive compensation and either build their houses at alternate places or start their businesses. He said that besides payment of handsome amounts to the owners of the properties on the metro route, the tenants doing businesses were also paid Rs1.20 lac as goodwill compensation.

He directed the officials to start payments to the affectees from Mumtazabad Railway Phatak, BCG Chowk, Allah Wasaya Chowk, Vehari Chowk and Kumharanwala. “Set up a camp at Aam Khass Bagh forthwith,” he added.

DCO Zahid Saleem said that the initial estimate for payment of compensation to 735 affectees of metro route living between BZ University and Mumtazabad Railway crossing stood at Rs2,939 in first award. He added that 480 affectees were paid Rs2,091 million. “The payment cases of 50 affectees are in progress, 24 have not submitted any claims, 89 have acquired stay orders from court while 73 are in process of getting ownership papers of their properties,” he said.